Best Biological and Physical Sciences Degrees in Virginia by ROI
Colleges in Virginia ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Virginia
8
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$171,908
Across Virginia programs
Average Annual Cost
$13,411
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Blue Ridge Community College
Grad rate: 34.0% |
+$175,328 | $52,894 | $15,437 | $8,650 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Grad rate: 33.6% |
-$2,690 | $43,109 | $12,435 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Laurel Ridge Community College
Grad rate: 40.0% |
-$110,004 | $38,222 | $11,552 | $8,400 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Northern Virginia Community College
Grad rate: 36.3% |
-$239,837 | $32,299 | $15,821 | $10,500 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Virginia Western Community College
Grad rate: 36.5% |
-$272,024 | $30,083 | $11,892 | $7,334 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Grad rate: 32.3% |
-$292,530 | $29,370 | $12,945 | $10,400 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Tidewater Community College
Grad rate: 28.7% |
-$304,754 | $28,952 | $15,291 | $9,787 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Grad rate: 28.2% |
-$328,757 | $27,493 | $11,919 | $10,948 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Biological and Physical Sciences Degrees by State
Browse Biological and Physical Sciences programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.